A very unusual open dialled, decorated, blued and lacquered aneroid pocket barometer altimeter attributed to Breguet c1865

Pocket barometer having 1½” silvered and die struck open centre dial, the periphery bearing standard meteorological terms, the barometric scale calibrated in inches of mercury with a range from 22” – 31” divided down to 1/20”, inner altimetric scale calibrated in feet with a range from 0 – 10,000ft with stations at 1,000ft and intervals at 500ft. Blued steel pointer, bezel setting index, deep bevelled glass.

Embellished and finely executed movement driven from a single ¾” nickel alloy soldered capsule tensioned on a coil spring, Breguet twin boom cock, substantial mirror polished bridge, gilt lacquered components, all raised over a circular frosted lacquered brass chassis. All contained within a blued and decorated drum form case, deep engine turned bezel and finisher, the verso with calibration port and blued panel equine scene.

The whole presented in its original burgundy leather over timber two tone clam shell case, lined in blue velvet and cream silk, snap closure on a button release. The outer lid with applied gold blocked retailer’s leather label marked “J. Franks, Oculist & Optician, 44 Market Street, Manchester.”

Condition: The subject of a full service, conservation, and calibration under laboratory conditions, see performance chart from dynamic test. The movement working well across the range though remaining out of calibration – the case construction means the verso, which has to be removed, remaining very firmly attached, preventing removal of the movement for calibration.

The dial clean and crisp with some signs of ageing. The case showing some signs of wear and ageing, the decoration remaining clear with good colour. The travel case structurally sound with good colour to exterior leather covering which remains in good condition, small repair to locality of release button. The interior lid silk partly perished, the blue velvet with wear to top edge otherwise with good colour and vibrancy. The catch locking and releasing positively.

Comments: Though this instrument is not signed by Breguet, it bears all the hallmarks of this firm, exhibiting aesthetically pleasing design, trademark cock, fine making, and finishing to a standard virtually never seen in other barometers of that time, much more akin to fine watch making. The case decoration is extremely unusual and whereas I would not say this is never seen, I don’t recall ever having seen such blued decoration on such a piece. The attractive retailer’s leather label attached to the outer lid is also uncommon.

In all, this is a very unusual instrument, the product of one of the world’s most exacting makers who probably made only a very few of these instruments. Most certainly a collector’s item.